Study: Gun-related injuries to kids are public health issue

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(AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

January 27, 2014 6:27:57 PM PST

A new study suggests that gun-related injuries are a national public health problem for America's children.

The report in February's edition of "Pediatrics" says guns hurt or kill about 10,000 children each year. Almost one child or teen is injured every hour by a firearm seriously enough to go to the hospital.

The study analyzed gunshot wounds nationwide in 2009. It found 89 percent of those hospitalized were males between the ages of 15 and 19.

Of that group, black males were ten times more likely to be hospitalized than white males.

The study also found that 75 percent of hospitalizations for children under 10-years-old were due to unintentional injuries.